Overview
A gripping tale of power and secrecy unfolds within the sacred walls of the Vatican.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- suspenseful
- solemn
- introspective
- thoughtful movie night
- prestige thriller evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s cinematography, ensemble performances, respectful procedural suspense, and balance of solemnity with entertainment, while finding its mystery and final twist less convincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cardinals pursue contrasting visions for the Catholic Church while maneuvering through the papal election.
Lawrence investigates conspiracies and intrigue among cardinals whose private ambitions complicate the conclave.
The secretive conclave confines rival cardinals within the Vatican while the cinematography emphasizes ceremony, architecture, and pressure.
The film treats the papal election process respectfully while also exposing the campy ridiculousness of its rituals and political theater.
Films like Conclave, and why
The Two Popes
shared Vatican setting, institutional intrigue, moral conflict, and suspenseful mystery structure
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
shared political maneuvering, secretive power structures, ensemble drama, and escalating suspicion
The Name of the Rose
shared closed-room mystery, competing agendas, religious themes, and prestige ensemble filmmaking
Spotlight
shared institutional corruption, tense investigation, and morally serious thriller atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Berger
- Release Date
- 2024-10-25
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (3652)
Cast
- Ralph Fiennes
- Stanley Tucci
- John Lithgow
- Isabella Rossellini
- Lucian Msamati
- Carlos Diehz
- Sergio Castellitto
- Brían F. O'Byrne
- Merab Ninidze
- Thomas Loibl
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Conclave about?
- Inside a locked-down Vatican election, a principled cardinal must navigate rival agendas, buried secrets, and a crisis of faith while choosing the Catholic Church’s next leader.
- What is Conclave like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Conclave as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Conclave violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Conclave.
- What did critics think of Conclave?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s cinematography, ensemble performances, respectful procedural suspense, and balance of solemnity with entertainment, while finding its mystery and final twist less convincing.
- Which films are like Conclave?
- Films with a similar feel include The Two Popes, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Name of the Rose, and Spotlight.
- How long is Conclave?
- Conclave runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Conclave?
- In United States, Conclave streams on Starz Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel.
